Aeroplane.



J. W. LYONS.

AEROPLANE.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 5, 1909.

1,056,192, Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

@2776; l jk arm wym J. W. LYONS.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.5, 1909.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. J. W. LYONS.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.5,\1909.

1,056Q192 Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

illlllllllllllillllli illilllllfllnmI EHIIIHIIIIIHH a. 'ZQMM 0 JAMES LYONS. OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 5, 1909.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913. Serial No. 476,307.

T0 (/71 whom it may concern Be it known that I, J AMES \V. LYoNs, citizen of the United States, residing at Moline, in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention. which will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

T his invention has reference to flying ma-, chines of that type known as aeroplanes.

The invention seeks to include in an'aeroplane a main or central plane from which is suspended the body of the machine in which the car, or cab, and the operating parts are carried, and movable planes at the sides and ends thereof together with means in control of the operator by which to adjust the planes to the desired positions.

It also seeks 'to include means of propulsionin the nature of propellers having position within tubes or pipes to produce an air blast as the propelling force.

The invention also includes tubes or pipes from which air blasts are projected and means for the adjustment of their rear or discharge ends whereby the air blasts will act to steer the machine.

ln addition the invention includes certain structural details which will be pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the aeroplane. Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a main or central plane of the machine showing a portion of the front and rear planes in connection therewith and a vertical tin or keel. Fig. is a plan of the top of the planes of the machine. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the aeroplane. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of an air blast tube showing means for shifting-it. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. (3 is a plan of the machine with its planes removed showing one of the blast tubes and the cab or car of the machine in horizontal section It is my preference to mount the machine upon four wheels A the .axles of which are indicated by B and which are both thoroughly truss'ed as shown in Fig. 3 in order to make them exceedingly strong and rigid. Preferably I place across the axles a framing to constitute a platform for carrying the driving mechanism and cab and this framingconsists in the present instance of I beams or other form of light but strong IHQIlllJQI'S indicated at C which are disposed longitudinally of the machine. Upon these members lateral beams D are mounted and these receive the cab or car E. Suitable upright frame work is provided for the upper structures to be described but I only show a portion thereof in the figures. Corner supports indicated at F arise from the axles B or some other suitable parts and upon these is mounted the main or central plane G of the machine. This plane consists preferably of a light hollow sheet-metal body made air tight and substantially of a fiat form after the manner shown in Fig. 1 in cross section. To each end is hinged a plane the forward one of which is indicated by H, the one at the rear by J both of which are substantially flat and hollow as shown and also formed of sheet-metal. Also hinged to the side edges of the central plane G are planes K L constructed after the manner of the others just described, all of the said hinged planes having the needed amount of surface area to properly sustain the machine in the air.

I make provision for adjusting all four of the hinged planes from-a position within the cab and the means for doing this will now be described. Vithin said cab is mounted in any suitable manner a series of drums shown in Fig. 6 each said drum being in control of one of the movable planes or hinged planes and all of which drums are placed in the forward end of the cab Where the operator can readily see ahead, there being a glass front provided for that purpose which is indicated at M.

The forward plane H is provided above and beneath with eyes H to which are connected controlling cables, the upper one being denoted by the letter N the lower one by O the latter extending downward over a pulley P carried on the nose M of the cab thence extending to a pulley Q beneath the latter thence upward into the cab and winds upon and is secured to the drum indicated at R. Attached also to the drum is one end of the said upper cable N which extends upward over pulleys S inthe top of the cab, Fig 1, from which it extends over a pulley T thence to the'plane H as described.

Mounted upon the central plane G is a -to and over a pulley vertically disposed in or-lteel G having vertical opening therethrough indicated by G which communicates with the cab and upon this the pulley 'll last mentioned mounted so that the cable N can pass down through said opening G as clearly shown in Fig. 1. his evidentthat by connecting; the cables N and 0 so as to wind in opposite directions upon the drum It the move ment of the latter inthe proper direction will positivelyraise or lower thetorward plane and hold it in pert'ect'control. The rear plane 5 is provided on. its rear edge with eyes J and to the upper of these is attached a cable U. This extends over a pulley V on the top of the keel G" thence extends downward through the opening G Vl 1 thence upon a drum X (Fig. 6). "E0 the lower eyes J of the plane J is attached a cable Y, which, in turn, extends down ward beneath a pulley Z, Fig. 6, beneath the rear axle of the machine, thence err tending forward beneath the cab as shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 6 to and over a pulley 2 thence up through the floor of the cab upon the said drum X. Both of the said planes denoted by K L have similar connections, the former having eyes K above and below to the upper ones of which is attached a cable 3 extending over a pullcy el upon the fin or keel G thence extending downward beneath a pulley 5 in the cab, thence forward over a pulley 6 and downward to a drum 7 beneath said pulley (Fig. 6). A lower cable 8 is also attached to the plane K and extends downward beneath a pulley 9 suitably carried from the training or the machine in substantially the position shown in Fig. 3, thence extending toward the middle of the machine over 'a pulley 10, thence forward beneath a pulley 11, at a point beneath said drum 7, Fig. 6. thence upward into the cab and secured to said drum. The plane L is provided with eyes L and an upper cable 12 extends there from over a pulley 13 of the tin or keel G thence downward beneath a pulley 1st within the cab, Fig. 6, thence forward over a pulley 15 and downward to a drum 16. The lower cable denoted by 17 extends clownward to a pulley 18 corresponding to the opposite pulley 9 in Fig. 3, thence over a pulley 19 corresponding to the pulley 10, thence "forward over a pulley Q0 and up through the floor of the car to said drum 16. Provision is thus made by which all four of .the planes may be adjusted as needed. I have not gone into detail. as to the manner of carrying the various pulleys but have indicated the positions thereot where they will properly carry and guide the cables.

At. each side of the machine at the rear, provide a rudder each oi which is indicated by 21 Fig. 3 these being hinged in suitable manner to a vertical frame-portion properly braced by the use of any desired structure and a cable is attached to each side of each rudder by which it may be swung. This is clearly indicated in Fig.6. Suitable eyes 23 are attached to the sides of the rudders and to the outer one of which is attached a cable 2% extending forward over a pulley 25 carried by theupright F thence extending over a pulley 26 secured to the side of the cab E; thence into the cab to the other" eye of the rudder and passes" over a pulley 29 carried by the upright F and thence extends over a forward pulley 30 carried by the upright F thence over a pulley 31 on the cab and winds upon the said drum 27. in the opposite side of the cab is a drum 32 which corresponds to said drum 27 and serves, through cables 33 a d 3%. to operate the rudder at the opposite side 01": the machine thoh' h said rudder and con deemed that the description already supplied will make the structure and intent clear.

Mounted on and secured to the supporting framing C, D in any good manner, not shown, is a tube or pipe 35 there being one at each side of the cab E. These pipes are tor and extending longitudinally thereof in a central position is a shaft 36. Said shaft being carried in bearings 37 suitably supported by means of arms 38 at several places shown in Fig. 6. At the forwardend or mouth of each pipe is a four bladed'fan 89 carried by the shaft 36 and at some considerable distance in the rear and also carried by said shaft is a three bladed fan 40. The rear end of each pipe terminates in one or more swiveled sections 41 movable relative to each other and to said pipe and each suc ceeding section is reduced in diameter so that the rearmost one is much smaller than the forward end of the pipe which has a flared mouth as shown. The purpose of the reduction in diameter of the rear end of the pipe to provide a small discharge opening" is that the air will be compressed at the opening and expelled with great force in a powerful jet thereby obtaining a greater steering power than with a full open-end connecting or g'oining the sections il is immaterial but. they are adapted to swing from side to side by the means to be described presently. i

Within the cab at any suitable position is an engine preferably of the gas explosion type of any approved form, indicated by the numeral 42 the shattt3 of which is pro- 22 carried by the corner upright and.

and upon a drum 27. A cable 28 is secured nections are not siilown in Fig; 6 since it. is

within said tube or'pipe this being clearly of considerable length and of large diamepipe at a' lower pressure. The manner of ipaaiae vided with gears 4.4-, but one of which is shown, adapted to mesh with gears 15 on the fan or propeller-shaft 36, there being but one of such gears shown. I have not indicated any of the details of the engine nor the source of fuel supply since this does not enter in the present invention but in connection therewith any manner of adj usting the engine longitudinally may be resorted to. if desired, in order to serve to preserve the proper poise of the machine when in the air.

Fig. 5 illustratesthe manner in which I imparthorizontal shifting motion to the pipe section ll. I first mount a bar, in the present instance a T-bar 46. upon the hori zontal I-beams C one of which is shown in said figure, and inclosing said T-bar is a casting 47 having a pin 48 which engages a plate at) on the rear section of the pipe section a l. Secured to the under side of said casting 47 is a casting 50 from which depends a pin 51. Secured upon the T-bar are two pairs of depending brackets 52 widely separated and constituting bearings for shafts 53 for sprocket wheels 5% having ther on a sprocket chain 55 in position beneath'the pin 51 of the casting 50 to permit said pin to extend through one of its links; there being one such arrangement beneath each of said pipes. To one of the shafts -53 of each such arrangement is attached a knuckle joint indicated at 56 part of which is carried by a shaft 57 the latter extending forward beneath the cab and connected with a second knuckle joint 58, Fig. 6, but one of which shown, and part of which is carried by ashaft 59 which extends at an angle through the floor of the cab being held in the bearing 60 secured to said floor, the upper end of "each shaft being provided with a hand wheel 61'.

Having described] the general arrangement of the machine I shall now describe the manner of its operation. but it is first to be noted that as shown in Fig. l, the central plane G is inclined upwardly at an angle the forward end thereof having a higher position than its rear end and to provide this difference I preferably carry the front axle at a higher elevation than the rear one by using larger wheels on the front than at the rear. This same object may be accomplished however, in other ways but the purpo c of the inclination is that. when the machine moves forward the air impinging upon the under surface of the central plane will have the desired lifting action. At the same time when the machine is starting the side planes K and L are placed SllllStEllltially in the same plane as the central one as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3 in order to have a large surface area with a consequent lifting action and this is true of the front and rear planes H and J It will be noted that the side planes K L have their under surfaces slightly concaved transversely as shown in the front elevation. Fig. 5, and this may apply also to the other planes in order that all of them will have a better form to obtain the best results from the air. Having the planes in the position shown in Fig. l the engine is started to drive the fans or propellers. The latter send out a strong pressure of air which is projected from the small end of the pipes and acts to drive the machine forward by forcing the column of air under pressure into the outer air. I may eliminate the pipes, however, and merely revolve the fans in the air after the manner of machines of this type.

The rudders E21 serve to guide the machine. in the desired direction while the front and rear hinged planes H and J serve to change the elevation of the machine; this all being done through the several drums within the cab which have been described. hen the machiniis in the air it is preferable to slightly raise the side planes J K in order to assist in preserving a nice balance and since the bulk of the weight of the machine is suspended from the central plane an almost perfect and natural balance will be maintained. In addition to steering by means of the rudders it is my purpose also, if I so desire, to utilize the columns of air ejected from the pipes 35 for steering by moving their rear jointed ends horizontally either separately or together. The adjustment of the pipe sections is through the hand wheels 61 and it is to be noted that any desired manner of maintaining the lat- 'ter in any position in which they may be placed may be resorted to and this also applies to the drums for adjusting the planes H, J, K, L and therudders 21. I

My purpose in making all of the planes hollow and air tight is that in case the machine falls into a body of water it will be supported thereby the buoyancy thereof being sutficient to safely sustain the weight of the machine and any added load that it may carry and the purpose of the opening G in the vertical tin or keel is that persons will be enabled to climb from the cab up through said keel to a place of safety upon the planes above the water and out of danger. By the several provisions for quickly and properly operating the several planes and the steering devices the person in control can readily obtain the adjustment desired for any course. A further advan tage in providing the vertically disposed keel or fin, is that it will assist in balancing the machine by at least partially equalizing wind pressures since such pressure would be dividedpart of it affecting the keel and.

part affecting the cab and other parts suspended below the central plane G. Said keel therefore acts to steady the machine and bv serving of a vessel.

All of the planes 3' ll I directly to the central plane t no openings between these 1' aces and the central one for passage oil? air between them. In thus arranging the parts a surface area provi les :tor supporting arer weight than thou h the'planes were separated from the main or central one and in which the lifting action. of the air would be lost as is the case with some machines or: this type.

l am not aware of a machine at the aeroplane type having a series of l 'llL hollow planes to act as a support for the machine in case it falls into the water and with which is combined provision by which the passei'igers may ascend from the car upon the central plane G to a place of safety above the water has been described.

.Having thus described my invention, l ciann:-

1. ln an aeroplane the combination of a central hollow air tight plane capable of floating on water, a hollow air tight plane hinged directly to and directly adioining each o'l its edges, a supporting framing suspended from the central plane, propelling means carried by the trami and means to separately adjust the several planes adjoining said central one.

An aeroplane comprisinga main hol low air tigl'it plane of rectangular form pro-- vided with straight edges, a plane hinged to each edge, the adjoining hinged edges oi all the planes being straight, a supporting framing suspended from the main plane, propelling neanscarried by said framing, and means in connection with and for a justing the hinged planes relative to the said main plane.

3. ln anaeroplane the combination with a main hollow air tight plane, of a plane hinged to each of tour tliereoit, the several adjacent of a directly adjoining one anol l are hinged. hereby leaving t 1c planes 0 constitute plane and having a passage extendingv through it and the said main plane.

4. in an aeroplane the combination with a main hollow air tight plane of rectangular form, a hollow air tight plane hinged to each of its edges, a car suspended from said main plane, a heel extending up from the main plane longitudinally thereof and having a passage down through it and the said main plane by which communication can be had with the car, means within the car independent of one another to operate each plane, cables connecting each said means with its respective plane, a vertically disposed rudder at the rear of the car, means within the car including a cable to operate said rudder, substantially horizontally disposed pipe at each side of the car, a propeller in each, and means to drive the propellers.

5. ln an aeroplane the combination oil a hollow rectangular air tight plane, a hollow air tight plane hinged to each side and at each end, the-planes directly adjoining at their edges, each hinged plane having a transverse concave under-surface, a car suspended trom the said main plane, a heel 6X- tending upward from the main plane and extending longitudinally thereof and having a vertical passage therethrough and through said'main plane, a winding drum in the cab for each hinged plane, a cable-connected to ach side of each plane and wound in oppositedirections upon the respective drnins,a propeller, and a motor to drive the same.

ln testimony whereof l alliz: my signature, in presence or two witnesses.

"lllllall l l 'W li ll' l fitnesses:

a RANK 5'. HALL, CARL IEEHNBERCL 

